Post by walterismydog on Aug 31, 2014 9:37:08 GMT -5
Has anybody had this? If so, how long did it last for you?
I got a concussion when I got in a car wreck on 8/1. I'm still having problems. My life is far from normal lately, and it fucking sucks. I'm getting depressed because of it. I can't even fly fish (well, not bc of the concussion, but because of the shoulder injury I also got in the wreck). I'm losing my mind. All I want to ever do is sleep and I have headaches all the time and all the medication they've given me is giving me horrible side effects. It's also stressing me out because my fucking health insurance is now denying all the claims since the other driver was at fault, so now I'm getting a million bills in the mail. I have an attorney and it's all going to be taken care of, but it's still stressful.
I have no idea about the concussion recovery, but please let me know if there's any way I can help. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with such BS while trying to feel better.
Seriously, I'll bring you dinner or something. Or whatever you need.
I know a few people that have taken months to recover from concussions.
I have no advice, but I hope the neurologist is able to help you.
Thank you. I now have a whole new appreciation for what a concussion can really do to you. It is not an easy recovery! I always thought they were kind of no big deal, but now I know.
I have no idea about the concussion recovery, but please let me know if there's any way I can help. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with such BS while trying to feel better.
Seriously, I'll bring you dinner or something. Or whatever you need.
Aww that's super sweet! Thank you so much! Luckily I do a big day of cooking on one of my days off every week, so I have plenty of food in my freezer. It's gotten a bit better, but it's still a daily battle. It seems like all I do is sleep. I've been taking FOUR HOUR naps almost daily and sleeping for 10+ hours each night. Prior to this, I ran on 6ish hours of sleep and no naps and had tons of energy. It's a weird adjustment.
For the first few weeks, work was awful (constant stimulation from the kids at camp, loud noises, etc) but camp is over now. I ended up leaving early every day for the first few weeks and taking a few days off here and there. Now that camp is over, it's been easier to be at work all day, but I still get super fatigued and have a hard time concentrating. Plus, with the shoulder injury, sitting at a computer for too long gets really painful. I have to take lots of breaks, and I'm not that type at all. I'm usually a go-go-go type. I'm super lucky that the past few weeks have been really slow at work.
A friend who had a concussion not long ago was also told no screens for a week or two, plus meds, plus took a long time to feel normal again.
I'm sorry i hope you feel better ASAP.
Yes, I had to avoid screens (as much as possible) for the first few weeks also because it would cause all kinds of dizziness and headaches. It still does, but not as intensely.
Thank you, I appreciate it. I am shocked that some football players are back on the field a week after a concussion, but I guess it does affect everyone differently.
Post by foundmylazybum on Aug 31, 2014 9:58:56 GMT -5
I've never had this, but have worked with athletes and Soldiers who did and a lot of what you are describing is right in line with what they have described as well.
I really feel for people who get a concussion because it's an internal injury. If you broke your leg it would be a lot easier to conceptualize that it takes time to heal. We can't see a brain injury, and really conceptualize that it might take 6-8 weeks to really completely get better, but that is what is happening now.
Post by cinnamoncox on Aug 31, 2014 10:01:22 GMT -5
I got one in a car accident June 2013. It took months to get my head right. My neck and back I don't think will ever be totally back to normal, but my head is. I'd say a good three to four months.
The first week I couldn't leave bed, except to throw up.
Then for months after that I would be confused sometimes and I had the hardest time coming up with normal every day words I use. It was embarrassing to stumble over the word sock or something.
Good luck. It sucks and I hope you're better ASAP.
I got one in a car accident June 2013. It took months to get my head right. My neck and back I don't think will ever be totally back to normal, but my head is. I'd say a good three to four months.
The first week I couldn't leave bed, except to throw up.
Then for months after that I would be confused sometimes and I had the hardest time coming up with normal every day words I use. It was embarrassing to stumble over the word sock or something.
Good luck. It sucks and I hope you're better ASAP.
I'm sorry you went through this, too. It sucks.
OMG - the words! Yes! I am having such a hard time with words and remembering things. Typing seems to be easier, but even then I sometimes read over something and the grammar is horrible and the writing is jumbled. Apparently I'm repeating myself a lot, too, and I had no idea. My coworker had to stop me the other day because he said I had already told him that story THREE TIMES this week. I didn't recall telling him once. :/
Post by foundmylazybum on Aug 31, 2014 10:10:15 GMT -5
I don't know if this would help or be upsetting, but there is a documentary about Kevin Pearce, the snowboarder called "The Crash Reel." He suffered a very, very severe head injury before the Vancouver Olympics. I think it really opened my eyes about exactly how long it takes to recover from a head injury, and how serious they really are.
It's one of best documentaries I've ever seen. It might be something that interests you. It's through HBO.
Someone close to me had this and it was bad. Like, very very bad. He had chronic dizziness and headaches and was out of work for a few months. I'm so sorry that you're dealing with it. Antidepressants ended up helping him. He also found support on online message boards of other people dealing with the same thing. The good news is that it eventually got better and you will too. Hopefully the neurologist will offer you some options that are better than the meds you are taking now.
I don't know if this would help or be upsetting, but there is a documentary about Kevin Pearce, the snowboarder called "The Crash Reel." He suffered a very, very severe head injury before the Vancouver Olympics. I think it really opened my eyes about exactly how long it takes to recover from a head injury, and how serious they really are.
It's one of best documentaries I've ever seen. It might be something that interests you. It's through HBO.
Thanks! I will look for it. I'm having a hard time watching even 5 minute youtube videos lately, but maybe I can watch it in small doses.
Speaking of, I'm going to get away from the computer for a bit. Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. Hopefully this will all get better soon.
I got one in a car accident June 2013. It took months to get my head right. My neck and back I don't think will ever be totally back to normal, but my head is. I'd say a good three to four months.
The first week I couldn't leave bed, except to throw up.
Then for months after that I would be confused sometimes and I had the hardest time coming up with normal every day words I use. It was embarrassing to stumble over the word sock or something.
Good luck. It sucks and I hope you're better ASAP.
I'm sorry you went through this, too. It sucks.
OMG - the words! Yes! I am having such a hard time with words and remembering things. Typing seems to be easier, but even then I sometimes read over something and the grammar is horrible and the writing is jumbled. Apparently I'm repeating myself a lot, too, and I had no idea. My coworker had to stop me the other day because he said I had already told him that story THREE TIMES this week. I didn't recall telling him once. :/
Yes, dh would be like, so exactly how many times did this happen because you've told me at least three times
He was teasing, but still, I knew if I was doing it with him I was with other who likely didn't know about the accident and concussion etc.
Someone close to me had this and it was bad. Like, very very bad. He had chronic dizziness and headaches and was out of work for a few months. I'm so sorry that you're dealing with it. Antidepressants ended up helping him. He also found support on online message boards of other people dealing with the same thing. The good news is that it eventually got better and you will too. Hopefully the neurologist will offer you some options that are better than the meds you are taking now.
Yes, the dizziness and headaches are really the worst part, especially with the fatigue mixed in. I wish I had the option to not work, but I just don't. I've already missed probably 50-60 hours total since this all happened and with all the medical bills and stuff I just can't not work.
I'm super sensitive to drugs anyway, and I told the neurologist this, but she still prescribed me quite a few things. One made me feel like I was on meth or something, so I quit taking it right away. The others are just giving me horrible stomach issues and I'm not sure they are even helping with the symptoms. I think I'm going to go to a different neurologist, I was not impressed with this one at all.
I will look for the support forums - I've tried to avoid doing online research because a lot of times it can freak me out more than just going with the flow, but it's been a month now and it's not getting better. Some insight from others will probably be very helpful. Thank you.
Someone close to me had this and it was bad. Like, very very bad. He had chronic dizziness and headaches and was out of work for a few months. I'm so sorry that you're dealing with it. Antidepressants ended up helping him. He also found support on online message boards of other people dealing with the same thing. The good news is that it eventually got better and you will too. Hopefully the neurologist will offer you some options that are better than the meds you are taking now.
Yes, the dizziness and headaches are really the worst part, especially with the fatigue mixed in. I wish I had the option to not work, but I just don't. I've already missed probably 50-60 hours total since this all happened and with all the medical bills and stuff I just can't not work.
I'm super sensitive to drugs anyway, and I told the neurologist this, but she still prescribed me quite a few things. One made me feel like I was on meth or something, so I quit taking it right away. The others are just giving me horrible stomach issues and I'm not sure they are even helping with the symptoms. I think I'm going to go to a different neurologist, I was not impressed with this one at all.
I will look for the support forums - I've tried to avoid doing online research because a lot of times it can freak me out more than just going with the flow, but it's been a month now and it's not getting better. Some insight from others will probably be very helpful. Thank you.
I really hope you feel better soon! You sound just like him in that he is also very sensitive to drugs with GI issues and stuff. If you don't like your neuro, definitely move on. I think with PCS, time to heal and taking things slowly can be the best medicine. I'm not going to type anymore because you should really be on cognitive rest! Limit TV, computer screens and excessive reading/using your brain. Easier said than done, huh? Hang in there. When I talk to him, I'll see if he has any tips or ideas to share and if so, I'll PM you later.
I had this after my car wreck. I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. I had a lot of the same symptoms... I didn't leave my room for almost two months because of the headaches, dizziness, etc.
I've not had this, but I have 2 people I know well who did.
Both of them eventually recovered- one completely. The other had some residual cognitive impact but he had multiple concussions and made some poor choices in terms of protecting himself proactively.
The one friend who fell off a stage. She had a lot of headaches, sleeping and cognitive glitches for a few months- but was great within the year. The weirdest glitch she had was word recall, especially around nouns. For instance she called all stores by the same name which made her husband crazy when she sent him out to food shop; poor guy was driving around looking for a chain that had closed a year later.
The other person was one of my scouts- he was a bright kid who had some learning issues (dyslexia). He had two concussions within a month- he got head butted playing soccer. He was supposed to be out of gym class and snuck into a volleyball class and got hit badly in the head a week later. He had bad headaches fro months. He had a lot of issues with math and material recall in school during his junior year. He had to withdraw from his AP classes and drop his math class. He also had to give up all sports. He did well in his first year of college, but he's an elementary ed major and not taking higher maths or lab sciences.
I had mild-moderate post concussion syndrome after almost shattering my right cheekbone. I don't remember exactly how long it took because it sort of tapered off and became so normal to me, but I think it took about three months.
Post by muppetinma on Aug 31, 2014 11:02:28 GMT -5
I have nothing to add to this, but every time I read the thread title, I think it says "Post Caucasian." I've been trying to figure out what qualifies somebody as post Caucasian.
I had this after my car wreck. I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. I had a lot of the same symptoms... I didn't leave my room for almost two months because of the headaches, dizziness, etc.
Cognitive rest is a must. Hug hugs, dude.
Cognitive rest is so, so difficult. I have no idea how to be still. I've gotten better at it, but like I said in an earlier post - I am used to a go-go-go 100 mile an hour lifestyle, so this has been a humongous change for me. It's also leading to depression, this whole lifestyle of vegging out and doing nothing. I am trying my best to balance it, but it's hard. I'll talk to the neurologist more about this aspect of it this week.
I had this after my car wreck. I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. I had a lot of the same symptoms... I didn't leave my room for almost two months because of the headaches, dizziness, etc.
Cognitive rest is a must. Hug hugs, dude.
Cognitive rest is so, so difficult. I have no idea how to be still. I've gotten better at it, but like I said in an earlier post - I am used to a go-go-go 100 mile an hour lifestyle, so this has been a humongous change for me. It's also leading to depression, this whole lifestyle of vegging out and doing nothing. I am trying my best to balance it, but it's hard. I'll talk to the neurologist more about this aspect of it this week.
I absolutely understand that. I am a very get up and go person, so it was very hard for me as well. Are you allowed out by yourself? Like, short walks? Definitely ask your doctor about what you can do. If you need to vent, feel free to pm.
Cognitive rest is so, so difficult. I have no idea how to be still. I've gotten better at it, but like I said in an earlier post - I am used to a go-go-go 100 mile an hour lifestyle, so this has been a humongous change for me. It's also leading to depression, this whole lifestyle of vegging out and doing nothing. I am trying my best to balance it, but it's hard. I'll talk to the neurologist more about this aspect of it this week.
I absolutely understand that. I am a very get up and go person, so it was very hard for me as well. Are you allowed out by yourself? Like, short walks? Definitely ask your doctor about what you can do. If you need to vent, feel free to pm.
Geez! I don't know! They didn't say anything at all about not going out by myself. I've been going on walks (dogs) and driving by myself, should I not be doing that? I have been avoiding highways because the fast driving kind of gets to me, but I've been mostly fine on the side streets. I did have an episode about a week or two ago where I had to pull over and puke. I definitely need to see a different doctor - this neuro acted like all of this was NBD even though I tried to explain to her that my whole life was affected. I have an appt with a different neuro on 9/15 - it took 6 weeks to get in there, so I saw a different one in the meantime and it's no wonder it was so easy to get in there. I'll ask all these questions this week.
Yeah, I'm going through it now except mine is complicated with a CSF leak and the doctors dismissed my signs of increased pressure for PCS. My car accident was in Feb. it sucks your healthcare won't pay. Mine is giving me no issues thankfully.
I'd recommend taking fish oil and multivitamins and eating as healthy as you can. Get your protein. You will likely gain some weight but your brain needs a ton of nutrients.
Rest your brain. Any stimulation slows healing. This includes audio and video stimulation. No stress! Stress makes it worse too. I have zero tolerance to stress now. Sometimes stress will make my mind blank so the sooner you learn to adapt, the better.
the biggest thing is if you do something and it makes you tired, don't do it. It is too much for you. I have a 5 hr limit before I need to remove myself from my surroundings to decompress.
Cut back on exercise duration and intensity. It taxes your brain too! Yoga has really helped me. I have a 30 min. Exercise limit.
If you have dizziness or nausea, look into vestibular rehab. A chiropractor could also help.
i hate to say it but the quickest way to get better is to accept your limitations and stop before you reach them. You cannot push through it. So hard for active people!
Post by polarbearfans on Aug 31, 2014 12:52:35 GMT -5
Hope you feel better. It took months for me to feel normal again post concussion. Computers made it worse. I really should have rested. If you can take some time off. I also worked with a concussion specialist.
I had dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches for months. Medications did nothing for me, and I cannot take NSAIDs, so no Advil for me which is what I really needed. I snuck a couple Advil and that helped some, but I had to be careful not to take too many. I had a prescription too that I could take at night to help reduce the pain enough to sleep, plus it made me sleepy.
Good luck! It will take time. Keep working with your doctors. It keeps better. Stay hydrated, avoid caffeine, rest your eyes.
Yeah, I'm going through it now except mine is complicated with a CSF leak and the doctors dismissed my signs of increased pressure for PCS. My car accident was in Feb. it sucks your healthcare won't pay. Mine is giving me no issues thankfully.
I'd recommend taking fish oil and multivitamins and eating as healthy as you can. Get your protein. You will likely gain some weight but your brain needs a ton of nutrients.
Rest your brain. Any stimulation slows healing. This includes audio and video stimulation. No stress! Stress makes it worse too. I have zero tolerance to stress now. Sometimes stress will make my mind blank so the sooner you learn to adapt, the better.
the biggest thing is if you do something and it makes you tired, don't do it. It is too much for you. I have a 5 hr limit before I need to remove myself from my surroundings to decompress.
Cut back on exercise duration and intensity. It taxes your brain too! Yoga has really helped me. I have a 30 min. Exercise limit.
If you have dizziness or nausea, look into vestibular rehab. A chiropractor could also help.
i hate to say it but the quickest way to get better is to accept your limitations and stop before you reach them. You cannot push through it. So hard for active people!
I am so sorry you are going through all of this as well. It's really eye-opening how much even a small amount of trauma can do to your brain. My neuro did not do a brain MRI, but instead did a neck MRI. I talked to my PCP and my PT and both did not understand why I didn't get a brain MRI, so I'm going to press about that this week when I go back. Did you find out about the leak with an MRI? I have a lot of head pressure as well, I wonder if that could be part of this.
I will definitely watch my diet - I've been awful lately. When I get depressed and bored, I eat - and I eat poorly. I need to curb that, so I'll follow your advice and focus on healthy proteins and plant nutrients.
Stimulation is so hard to avoid! I don't have a tv and I'm really only on the computer at work, so at least when I'm at home the stimulation is at a minimum. I'll talk to the doctor this week about the computer stuff, too. It's just so hard not to be on it while I'm working, and not working is not really an option. I know I'm probably sabotaging myself in a way, but it would just not be feasible at all for me to not work since I am single and I have no idea how I would pay my bills without working. My limit also seems to be about 4-5 hours before I get completely overwhelmed and exhausted. Luckily my boss has been extremely gracious through all of this and gives me plenty of time to "relax" while at work. Overhead lighting (especially florescent) kills me, so I've been keeping the lights off in my office and using a soft lamp.
I have a very laid-back "sleepytime" yoga practice I developed, but I haven't been doing it at all since the wreck. I'll try it out tonight and see if it helps, avoiding shoulder-intensive poses.
Good advice on not pushing through it. This is going to be very hard for me to avoid, but I will do my best to just be still.
Is your lawyer aware of how difficult it is for you to work full-time? I would make sure that he is because during settlement discussions, the other side are going to bring it up like, well she couldn't have been that bad, she was working full-time. Has your neuro cleared you for full-time work? Touch base with your lawyer, k? (Speaking from experience here.)